BRPI0608535A2 - merchandise display - Google Patents

Abstract

MERCHANDISE EXHIBITOR. An exhibition space of a multi-door merchandise display is illuminated which is illuminated by one or more vertically extending lamps 80 disposed intermediate the vertical sides of an access opening for the exhibition space. A multiple door assembly (44) covers the access opening. To enhance the illumination of the exhibition space, a pair of vertically extending side reflectors 92 are provided, one extending along one side of the access opening and the other extending along the other side of the exposure. access opening. An additional reflector may be mounted on an inwardly facing surface of the door along an upper front door region and / or a lower front region.

Description

"MERCHANDISE EXHIBITOR"

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to U.S. Provisional Application Serial Number 60 / 663,081, filed March 18, 2005, entitled LightingEnhancement Using Reflective Surfaces in Bottle Coolers, for which this claim claims priority, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. This application relates to International Patent Application (PCT) Serial Number PCR / US05 / 047046, filed December 23, 2005, entitled Display Merchandiser with LightingEnhancement, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to merchandising displays and, more particularly, to improved product lighting exposed in an illuminated merchandise display equipped with a plurality of glass doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Merchandise displays, also commonly referred to as display cases or display cabinets, are widely used in display of products in department stores, bakeries, confectioners, supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail outlets. Such merchandise displays usually have a glass front, Also usually a glass top and even glass sides, through which consumers can see the products displayed on the merchandising display. Non-refrigerated merchandise displays are typically used to display a wide range of products including, for example, jewelry, toys, electronics, baked goods, bottled and canned beverages. Refrigerated merchandise displays are commonly used to display edible and frozen perishable beverages, including, for example, meat, chicken, fish, dairy, packaged frozen foods, cold canned and bottled beverages, and other products that need to be kept in a controlled environment.

It is well understood that lighting the product displayed on the merchandise display can improve the appearance of the product exposed to the consumer. In this way both refrigerated and non-refrigerated display cases have generally been fitted with lamps placed inside the cabinet to illuminate the product. For example, US 6,098,529 discloses an uncooled display case for food items, such as baked goods, where the interior of the cabinet is illuminated by a plurality of vertically arranged incandescent lamps arranged at the rear corners of the cabinet and by a plurality of spaced fluorescent lamps. vertically arranged horizontally extending in front of the cabinet. An illuminated front display case for jewelry and the like, disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,381,876, has a single fluorescent lamp that extends horizontally mounted to the upper front of the cabinet to illuminate the product exposed therein. The U.S. patent No. 5,865,516 discloses a display case for exhibiting scale models where the cabinet is illuminated by a plurality of low voltage lamps extending throughout the upper periphery of the interior of the cabinet.

Similarly, refrigerated merchandise displays, such as those commonly used in supermarkets, convenience stores, delicatessens, fast-food restaurants and other retail outlets to display refrigerated or frozen products for self-service selection, are usually equipped with fluorescent lamps to illuminate the product disposed of. shelves inside the merchandising display. U.S. Patent 5,508,898 discloses an open refrigerated display case in the front for food products wherein a pair of horizontally extending fluorescent lamps arranged on the top front of the cabinet with an associated reflector that directs the lamp light down and into the cabinet to illuminate the shelves leaned forward on it. Additionally, a horizontally extending fluorescent lamp is mounted on the underside of each shelf near the front edge with an associated reflector to illuminate the lower shelf and the region below the lower shelf.

U.S. Patent 4,977,754 discloses a two-door glass door cold beverage display in which a horizontally extending fluorescent lamp is mounted in a forward position in an upper region of the interior of the cabinet to illuminate the slanted shelves therein. Additionally, a horizontally extending fluorescent lamp is arranged in a separate compartment in association with a symbol arranged on the upper front of the merchandise display to illuminate the symbol. Glass door cold beverage displays are available which include a single fluorescent lamp that extends horizontally arranged on the upper front of the cabinet interior to illuminate a symbol arranged along the upper front of the cabinet as well as illuminate shelves below it. A reflector is typically provided in association with the lamp to assist in directing the lamp light down toward the shelves.

U.S. Patent Nos. 5,699,676 and 5,937,666 disclose an independent double-door glass door refrigerated merchandise where a vertically extending fluorescent lamp is mounted on each door to extend along its respective sides in one corner front of the cabinet to provide light to illuminate the interior cabinet. US 6,406,108 discloses an independent double-door glass door refrigerated display case wherein each door is provided with a pair of severely extending fluorescent lamps and a pair of horizontally extending fluorescent lamps mounted on the perimeter of the facing surface. inside the door to illuminate the interior of the merchandise display cabinet. The U.S. patent No. 5,584,189 discloses a hexagon-shaped refrigerated side merchandise display in which three severely extending fluorescent lamps are arranged on the cabinet wall at equally spaced intervals on the periphery of the interior of the cabinet to illuminate the horizontal shelves therein.

It is also known in the technology related to multi-door refrigerated merchandise displays to mount a fluorescent lamp extending vertically on the inwardly facing surface of a structural element, commonly referred to as a mainel, of the door frame assembly extending vertically between each set of doors to illuminate the interior of the merchandise display. For example, U.S. patent. No. 6,578,978 discloses a stand-alone two-door refrigerated display case that has a center-support mainel that has an outward-facing surface against which the doors close and a counter-facing surface on which is mounted a pair of fluorescent lamps that extend severely to illuminate product arranged on shelves inside exhibiting davitrine. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,941,289, 5,016,146, and 5,645,330 disclose which door assembly to mount in an opening in a wall of a refrigerated cabinet, the door assembly including a frame having a support main that extends vertically between each set of doors mounted on the frame. A severely extending fluorescent lamp is mounted on the inwardly facing surface of each main panel to illuminate the interior of the cabinet. In US 5,297,863, a multi-door glass door display case is disclosed wherein vertically extending fluorescent lamps are arranged near both the front corners and between the doors of the display case to illuminate a plurality of horizontal shelves. typically do not illuminate the interior of the cabinet evenly, but especially illuminate more closely regions of the lamp, or lamps, while illuminating less distant regions of the lamp. In U.S. Patent No. 5,471,372, a glass door refrigerated merchandise display having a door assembly comprising a pair of insulated glass doors mounted for hinged movement in a door frame mounted in an opening in the front wall of the cabinet is disclosed. The door frame includes a vertically extending central mainel. To illuminate the shelves on the refrigerated merchandise display, a vertically extending luminaire is mounted at and behind the doorframe along either side of the landmark, and a vertically extending central luminaire is mounted at the central mainframe and rearward.

Each luminaire includes a fluorescent lamp that extends vertically into a unique built-in refraction / reflection light lens mounted on a base element. A V-shaped reflector is mounted on the base element at the back of the lamp with its apex pointing towards the bulb. Although effective in substantially uniform light distribution within the merchandise display, such a lighting system is relatively expensive because of the number of lamps and elaborate lenses required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-door merchandise display having a relatively inexpensive and effective lighting system for illuminating an internal product display space in the merchandise display.

It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-door merchandise display incorporating reflectors having a relatively high reflectivity surface configured and positioned to direct light to an internal product display space on the display merchandise.

It is an object of one aspect of the invention to provide a multi-door merchandise display having a lighting system that incorporates at least one lamp located between a side reflector wall at the front corners of an internal product display space in the merchandise display, the reflectors having a relatively high-deflection surface adapted to direct light emitted by the lamp to the side regions of the inner product display space.

A commodity display is provided which has an improved lighting system to illuminate an internal product display space in the commodity display. In one embodiment of the invention, the merchandise display includes a structure defining an opening through which at least a portion of the display space can be accessed, a door assembly covering the access opening, at least one vertically extending lamp, a first reflector and a second reflector. The door assembly includes a plurality of transparent doors, each door being selectively positionable between a first position in which it opens the access opening for access to the exhibition space and a second position in which it opens the access opening for access to the exposure space. The access opening is delimited by a vertically extending first side, and a vertically extending second side opposite said first side. At least one severely extending lamp is disposed behind the intermediate door assembly on the first side and the second side of the access opening. The first reflector is disposed along the first side of the access opening and the second reflector is disposed along the second side of the access opening. The first and second side reflectors are adapted to direct at least part of the light emitted by the lamp into the exposure space.

In another embodiment, a refrigerated merchandise display is provided having an improved lighting system to illuminate an internal product display space in the refrigerated merchandise display. The refrigerated merchandise display includes a refrigerated cabinet that defines the internal product display space bounded by a top, a base, an enclosing sidewall structure including a plurality of insulated sidewalls extending between the scope and the base. An opening is provided in the surrounding sidewall structure through which the internal product display space can be accessed. The access opening is covered by a plurality of doors, each of which has a transparent viewing area through which at least part of the internal product display space can be viewed. Each tray is selectively positionable between a first position in which it closes the access opening for access to the internal product exhibition space and a second position in which it opens the access opening for access to the internal product exhibition space. A vertically extending lamp is disposed behind the intermediate door assembly to a first vertical side and a second vertical side of the access opening. A first reflector is disposed along the first side of the access opening and a second reflector is disposed along the second side of the access opening. The first and second side reflectors are adapted to direct at least part of the light emitted by said lamp to the exposure space.

In addition to the side reflectors, a horizontally extending first reflective surface may be disposed on an inwardly facing surface along an upper portion of at least one door of the plurality of doors and a second horizontally extending reflective surface may be disposed on a surface. facing inwards along a lower part of at least one door of the plurality of doors. Additionally, a mainel may extend vertically upward through the intermediate access opening to the first side and the second side of the access opening. The vertically extending lamp may be mounted on the mainel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of these and the objectives of the invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the invention which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerated merchandise display in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of a display case in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a reflectoralateral strip; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a side reflective strip embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to Figures 1-3, a two-door cold beverage display is generally designated by reference number 10, including an enclosure 20 defining an internal product display space 12 having shelves 14 for containing product to be purchased, such as, for example, soda, milk, water, juices, fruit, beer and other bottled or canned drinks. The refrigerated cabinet 20 has a top wall 22, a base wall 24, and a surrounding wall structure formed of a plurality of insulated boundary walls, including vertically extending side walls 36 and 38. An open area is provided in front of the cabinet 20 through which the internal product display space can be seen from outside the enclosure. A mainelcentral 42 extending vertically upward through an open area.

In the embodiment shown, the open area is covered by a pair of doors 40 which is selectively positionable between a closed position covering the open area and an open position in which consumers may access the internal product display space 12 to remove a product for purchase. Doors 40 may be mounted in cabinet 20 in a conventional manner, for example, in pivot joints between an open and closed position, or in a sliding track between an open and closed position. Each door 40 has a transparent viewing area, for example a glass panel assembly 44, typically having one, two or more glass panels mounted on frame 46, through which at least a portion of the internal product display space of cabinet 20 is provided. can servista through open area 35 on front side wall 32.

As with conventional standalone refrigerated merchandise displays, a refrigeration unit (not shown) is housed in the cabinet, for example, in a compartment below the product display space, in operative association with the internal product display space to provide refrigerated air to it. . The cooling unit includes a compressor, condenser / condenser fan assembly, and evaporator / evaporator fan assembly, with the compressor, condenser, and evaporator connected by cooling lines in a conventional refrigerant circuit. The evaporator fan is operative in a conventional manner to circulate air through the evaporator and the internal product display space. As with conventional practice, the evaporator / evaporator fan assembly may be disposed in a compartment below or above the internal product display space or located in the product display space. It is to be understood that the particular way of cooling the internal display space of product 12 is not relevant to the invention.

As discussed earlier, it is desirable to illuminate the interior space of product display and the product disposed therein to improve the appearance of the product disposed on the shelves to the consumer through the glass doors. A severely extending lamp 80, preferably a fluorescent lamp, is positioned inside the cabinet behind the central panel 42 and in front of the shelves14. When energized, the lamp 80 emits light directly into the product exhibit 100 space. While the light emitted by the lamp 80 alone will effectively illuminate the product disposed in the front center of the cabinet interior, this light will only poorly illuminate the product disposed in the parts. from the shelves more towards the sides of the interior cabinet. The number, arrangement and specific configuration of the shelves 14 are not relevant to the invention, and it is within the skill of the art to select the optimum presentation and accessibility of the particular product being exposed.

Typically, the inwardly facing surfaces that delimit the inner display area of product 12 are relatively non-reflective or of relatively low reflectivity. Therefore, the largest part of the light emitted by the lamp 80 which impinges on these bounding surfaces is absorbed. In one aspect of the invention, to improve illumination of the lateral regions of the inner product display space, highly reflective surfaces are arranged at specific locations relative to the lamp80. The reflective surfaces of the lighting system of the invention will reflect, rather than absorb, a significant portion of the light from the lamp 80 impinging thereon on the side regions of the inner product display space12, thereby improving the illumination of the product disposed therein.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3 in particular, a first side reflector 92 and a second side reflector 94 are disposed on the respective front edges of the interior of the cabinet 20. The first side reflector 92 extends vertically along the right side wall 36 near its front edge and the second side reflector 94 extends vertically along its left side wall 38 near its front edge. Each of the side reflectors 92 and 94 has a reflective surface 95 facing the interior of the cabinet 20. The side reflectors 92 and 94 may extend over the entire height of the product display space 12 or may be reduced to extend only a portion of the height of the inner product display space 12. Each of the side reflectors 92 and 94 is contoured or otherwise configured with its respective flexure surface 95 having a part 95A extending obliquely to respective sidewalls 36 and 38 and facing towards each other. inside the product display space 12. Each of the reflective surfaces 95A reflects light inwardly at respective side regions of the product display space 100. Additionally, each of the reflectors 92 and 94 may be circumvented or otherwise configured with their respective surface 95 having a portion 95B extending generally parallel to the respective walls 1 36 and 38. Each of the reflective surfaces 95Breflects light back inward through the front of the inner product display space 12 as well as along the front of the shelves on it and the glass panel assembly 44 of door 40 positioned between lamp 80 and the respective side reflector. Side reflectors 92 and 94 may comprise single elongate strips folded along a longitudinal line and an included angle A with their inner surface 95 being reflective as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 in particular, there is shown a refrigerated display case, generally designated reference numeral 100, of the type commonly used in supermarkets and other retail stores to display food, refrigerated, frozen foods, dairy products and the like. The refrigerated display case includes a door assembly comprising a plurality of glass doors 140 arranged in a side-by-side arrangement on a perimeter frame 130 mounted therein for articulated movement. The frame 130 is mounted on an open area in the wall 102, and extends around it, for example, the wall of a cold room or the front wall of the refrigerated display case. A refrigerated display space 112 is defined behind the glass doors 140 where product is displayed on shelves 114. The number, arrangement and specific configuration of the shelves 114 are not relevant to the invention, and is well known to those skilled in the art to select the product. optimization of customer presentation and accessibility of the particular product being exposed. The frame 130 includes a plurality of tabs 142 that extend vertically between the upper and lower elements of the frame to provide rigidity to the frame.

As in conventional practice relating to display cases of this type, an evaporator / evaporator fan assembly is operatively associated with the exposure space 112 to circulate air exposure space through the evaporator and back to the exposure space. The evaporator is connected in refrigerant fluid communication with a compressor shelf and condenser via cooling lines in a conventional refrigerant circuit, both of which are typically remotely located from the exposure space.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, there is provided a plurality of vertically extending lamps 80, preferably fluorescent lamps, to illuminate the display space and the product arranged on the shelves 114 to enhance the appearance of the product. through doors 140. A lamp 80 is positioned behind each of the tabs142 and in front of shelves 114. When energized, the lamps 80 emit light directly into the exhibition space 112. In the embodiment of a display case with a door assembly of glass behind doors, two lamps 80 are provided, a first lamp being behind the left mainel and a second lamp being behind the right main.

Although the light emitted by the 80 lamps effectively illuminates the product disposed on the shelves in the region of the exhibition space in the vicinity of the general lamps, this light will illuminate only poorly the product disposed in the product display regions further toward the interior of the cabinet.

A first side reflector 92 and a second side reflector94 are disposed at respective front corners of the interior of the display space 112. The first side reflector 94 extends vertically along the right side of the glass door assembly and the second side reflector94 extends. vertically along the left side of the glass door assembly. Each of the side reflectors 92 and 94 has a reflective surface 95 facing the interior of the exhibition space 112. The side reflectors 92 and 94 may extend the full height of the door assembly, or may be reduced to extend only at a part of the height of the door set. Each of the side reflectors 92 and 94 may be circumvented or otherwise configured with their respective reflective surface 95 having a portion 95A extending obliquely and facing towards the exposure space 112. Each of the reflective surfaces 95A reflects light inwardly towards the Additionally, each of the reflectors 92 and 94 may be contoured or otherwise configured with their respective reflective surface 95 having a portion 95B extending generally parallel to respective side flanges 136 and 38 of the perimeter frame 130. Each of the reflective surfaces 95B reflects light back inward through the front of the shelf fronts 114 and the door glass panel assembly 140 positioned between the respective lamp 80 and its respective side reflector. Side reflectors 92 and 94 may comprise simple elongate strips bent along a longitudinal line at an included angle A with respective inner surface 95 being reflective as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

To further enhance the illumination of the product on the shelves 114, particularly in the region intermediate the two lamps 80, a base reflector 96 having a reflective surface 97 may be arranged in operative association with each lamp 80 and extending to the long model. Each base reflector is contoured or otherwise configured and positioned relative to its associated lamp 80 such that its reflective surface 97 reflects light emitted by lamp 80 generally and obliquely in the exposure space. For example, as illustrated in the embodiment shown, each base reflector 96 may be a reflective strip mounted behind the mainel 142 with its reflective surface 97 facing its associated lamp 80 and suitably shaped, for example, with the general shape of V, with the general shape of U, or otherwise arcuate and arcuate, so that its reflective surface 97 reflects light emitted by its associated lamp 80 back into the exposure space through a desired arc.

Additional reflectors 98 may be provided on the side of each of the doors 40, one positioned to extend along the top of the door and the other to extend along the base of the door. Referring now to Figure 2, a horizontally extending upper door reflector 98A may be disposed against an upper portion of the inner surface 45 of the glass panel assembly 44 of door 40 and a horizontally extending lower door reflector 98B may be disposed against. a bottom portion of the inner surface 45 of the glass panel assembly 44 of the door 40. Each reflector 98 has a reflective surface 99 which is generally inwardly directed toward the exposure space12. The upper reflector 98A may be positioned and contoured or configured such that its reflective surface 99 reflects light into the interior and generally down into the exposure space 12 when door 40 is closed. The bottom reflector 98B may be positioned and contoured or otherwise configured such that its reflective surface 99 reflects light inward and generally upward into the exposure space 12 when door 40 is closed.

The reflectors 92, 94, 96 and 98 may comprise a structural support strip having a reflective surface on the side that will face the interior of the product display space. The strips may be shaped metal flame strips, for example, anodized aluminum, having a polished surface as a reflective surface or having a reflective paint or other coating of reflective material being deposited thereon as a reflective surface. The strips may be extruded strips configured to the desired contours during the extrusion process and having a reflective coating deposited, for example, extruded plastic, PVC resin or laminated aluminum substrate with a reflective aluminum or Mylaruminized skin to give the reflective surface. The reflectors may be mounted to the cabinet frame, frame frame and door frame as appropriate by any suitable attaching technique such as mechanical fasteners including screws, magnetic strips, velcro-type fabric with adhesive on both sides. , double-sided tape or adhesive.

Those skilled in the art realize that the width and length of each reflector and the angle included in the reflective surface will depend on the geometry and dimensions of the product display space and the exact placement of the reflectors therein. Although the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the illustrated embodiments. In the art, those skilled in the art understand that various changes in detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims (12)

1. Merchandise display having an improved lighting system to illuminate an exhibition space of said commodity display, characterized by the fact that said merchandise display comprises: a structure that defines an opening through which at least part of the exhibition space can being accessed, the access opening is delimited by a vertically extending first side and a vertically extending second side being opposite said first, a door assembly covering the access opening, the door set including a plurality of doors transparent, each door being selectively positionable between a first position in which it closes over the exposure space access opening and a second position in which it opens to give access to the exposure space, at least one lamp extending vertically disposed behind from the intermediate door assembly to the first and the second side of the door access aperture, said lamp for emitting light into said exposure space, a first reflector disposed along the first side of said access aperture, said first reflector adapted to direct at least part of the light emitted by said lamp to said exposure space In a second reflector disposed along the second side of said access aperture, said second reflector is adapted to direct at least a portion of the light emitted by said lamp to said exposure space. Merchandise display according to claim 1, characterized in that each door comprises a glass door having a glass panel mounted on a perimeter support frame. Commodity display according to claim 1, characterized in that each door comprises an electively pivotable glass door between its first and second positions. Merchandise display according to claim 1, characterized in that said first and second reflectors are each adapted to also direct at least a portion of the light emitted by said lamp back through said glass door assembly. Merchandise display according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a reflective surface extending horizontally arranged on an inwardly facing surface along an upper portion of at least one door of said plurality of doors ; a reflective surface extending horizontally arranged on an inwardly facing surface along an underside of at least one door of said plurality of doors. 6. Refrigerated merchandise display having an improved lighting system to illuminate an internal product display space in said merchandise display, characterized in that said refrigerated merchandise display comprises: a refrigerated booth defining the interior display space enclosed by a top, a base, an enveloping sidewall structure including a plurality of insulated sidewalls extending between said top and said base, and an opening in the surrounding sidewall structure through which the internal product display space may be accessed, the access opening delimited by a vertically extending first side and a second side extending severely opposite said first side, a door assembly covering the access opening, said door assembly including a plurality of doors, each door having a transparent viewing area through which at least part of the internal product display space can be seen, each door selectively positioned between a first position in which it closes the access opening for access to the internal product exhibition space and a second position in which it opens the access opening for access to the internal exposure space. a vertically extending lamp arranged behind the intermediate door assembly on the first side and the second side of the access opening, said lamp for emitting light in the exhibition space, a first reflector disposed along the first side of said aperture; access, said first reflector adapted to direct at least a portion of the light emitted by said lamp to the exposure space; and a second reflector disposed along the second side of said access aperture, said second reflector adapted to direct at least a portion of the light emitted by said lamp to the exposure space. Refrigerated merchandise display according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises: a mainel extending vertically upwards through the intermediate access opening to the first side and the second side of the access opening. 8. Refrigerated merchandise display according to claim 7, characterized in that said severely extending lamp is mounted on said mainel. Merchandise display according to claim 6, characterized in that each door comprises a glass door having a glass panel mounted on a perimeter support frame. Merchandise display according to claim 9, characterized in that each door comprises an electively pivotable glass door between its first and second position. Merchandise display according to claim 6, characterized in that said first and second reflectors are each adapted to also direct at least a portion of the light emitted by said lamp back through said glass door assembly. Merchandise display according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises: a horizontally extending reflective surface arranged on an inwardly facing surface along an upper portion of at least one door of said plurality of doors ; a reflective surface extending horizontally arranged on an inwardly facing surface along an underside of at least one door of said plurality of doors.